Last week, in a middle school small group, there was a young lady named Mara who was completely tuned in the whole time. You could just tell she was soaking up every word. The teaching that day from Courtney was about how we are made in God’s image.
At the end, Courtney gave the group a little challenge about hearing God’s voice. She told them to find a quiet place, get still before God, and ask Him to speak. Then she encouraged them to wait and listen, knowing that God is speaking and wants us to catch it.
The next week, Mara came into Campus Life club full of excitement and said, “I heard God’s voice!” “What did He say?” Courtney asked. “He said, ‘Mara!’” She exclaimed. That’s pretty awesome in my book – this middle school girl was being called by name by the living God. It’s just like Samuel, Mary, and Moses. Each time God called their name, it meant He was near and wanted to speak with them.
Mara smiled and said she’s going to keep listening for God’s voice. Courtney told her she would get her a journal so that she could write down what she hears Him say. Each week, she plans to share with Courtney what God speaks to her, and we’re all looking forward to those wonderful updates.
Are you hearing from God? I’d like to ask “what are you hearing,” but I know many of us sometimes feel like it’s radio silence. I’ve been in a season like that, too. At least this time I know why, though – I’m too loud. I’ve scrolled, accomplished, and directed my own steps when I could have made space for His voice. These are pieces of me that are like Adam in Genesis, hiding in the bushes, afraid of what God will say.
The truth is that God still speaks to His children. “My sheep hear my voice, and I know them, and they follow me” (John 10:27). You can hear His voice in scripture (2 Timothy 3:16-17), and you can hear His voice in the Holy Spirit (John 16:13-14). How can you become quiet enough to hear?
For too long, I was consistently waking up around 3 am and then fighting to get back to sleep. My work brain would turn on, my anxieties and fears would run free, and I would reach for a screen to silence it all. It just never worked well. My friend and former YFC staff member, Paul Haroutunian came by last semester to encourage our team on prayer and gave us a challenge of daily praying the Lord’s prayer. I figured at least before I turned to the phone, I would get on my knees and pray. So I did. And I was lights out afterwards!
I’m not pitching you a formula. I’m not really pitching you anything, actually! I do want to encourage you, though: God absolutely loves you and wants you to have the abundant life found only in a relationship with Him. You can trust Him and His voice. Give Him your attention, fix your eyes on Jesus, see how wonderful, and glorious, and good He is. I think you’ll find that everything you really needed, even wanted, is right there in Him.
Before our lives just get louder, let’s be like Mara and accept the invitation to hear from Jesus today.
Together,
Jameson White | Executive Director
P.S. Already this year, over 1,400 kids have connected at YFC programming! Thank you for praying, giving, and going for kids to know Jesus.
The YFC Alumni Breakfast! If you were former youth, volunteer, board, staff, etc. join the alumni network for key communications, connecting opportunities, unique ways to further the mission.
